Television network A&E filed a lawsuit Tuesday against ReelzChannel LLC for allegedly producing a knock-off version of its previously cancelled police show.
The major network alleges Reelz’s reality show, “On Patrol: Live,” is a “clone” of its once wildly popular “Live PD,” Reuters reported. A&E is accusing Reelz of “brazen theft of AETN’s intellectual property,” according to the lawsuit. The network’s litigation calls Reelz’s “infringing series” a “blatant rip-off” that features similar hosts and content, drawing millions of viewers to its network. Although A&E suspended production of “Live PD,” it still retains exclusive rights to the show, the lawsuit states.
“Live PD” formerly ranked among A&E’s highest rated shows and aired between 2016 and 2020, Reuters noted. The network nixed the hit police series in 2020 over widespread riots and protests following George Floyd’s death.
“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD,” according to a network statement quoted by Reuters. (RELATED: A&E Viewership Takes Nosedive In Aftermath of ‘Live PD’ Cancellation)
Sorry, @AETV, “Go woke, go broke” https://t.co/d4imNUciRo
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) August 31, 2022
A&E primetime viewership tanked following cancellation of “Live PD,” according to Yahoo. In June of 2020, A&E called the large drop “a temporary hit in the ratings,” according to The Wall Street Journal. However, the network recovered only slightly from its nearly 50% loss in viewership in the year that followed, Yahoo reported.